What do third order members do?

[Marauder]

what does the promise of a life of poverty entail?

Poverty in regards to the secular orders doesn’t mean that you have to sell all you have and give it to the poor. Poverty is to know what your means are and to live within your means. No love of money or excess wealth. Also a poverty toward sin.

The following is from the constitutions of the SFO

Rule 11 Secular Franciscans should pledge themselves to live the spirit of the Beatitudes and, in a special way, the spirit of poverty. Evangelical poverty demonstrates confidence in the Father, creates interior freedom, and disposes them to promote a more just distribution of wealth.

2. Secular Franciscans, who must provide for their own families and serve society by means of their work and material goods, have a particular manner of living evangelical poverty. To understand and achieve it requires a strong personal commitment and the stimulation of the fraternity in prayer and dialogue, communal review of life, and attentiveness to the instructions of the Church, and the demands of society.
3. Secular Franciscans should pledge themselves to reduce their own personal needs so as to be better able to share spiritual and material goods with their brothers and sisters, especially those most in need. They should give thanks to God for the goods they have received, using them as good stewards and not as owners
They should take a firm position against consumerism and against ideologies and practices which prefer riches over human and religious values and which permit the exploitation of the human person.

 

[Michael_Neal]

OK, I think I get it. It means not buying the most expensive car or buying something for vain purposes, simplifying our life so that we have more to give to the needy.

 

[Marauder]

OK, I think I get it. It means not buying the most expensive car or buying something for vain purposes, simplifying our life so that we have more to give to the needy.

Pretty much, but also showing that you don’t really have an attachment/love of money. That you trust God and his providence.

 

[Andruschak]

what does the promise of a life of poverty entail?

For the CFP and BSP, “poverty” does NOT mean “destitution”. It means living as simply as you can, without ostentation, without piling up goods. It means that before you buy anything, you ask if this is what you NEED, as opposed to maybe what you want. Do you really need all the latest gadgets?

In my case, I need a computer. But I don’t need a TV set, a DVD player, a cell phone, or things like that. So I don’t have them

I live in a modest two bedroom apartment. I don’t need anything else, so sat out the housing boom, even though everyone was telling me to jump into the market.

I justify my three cats as one of my duties as a Franciscan Penitent…to rescue and adopt older cats. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it

 

[Michael_Neal]

I am trying to figure out whether I really have the charism of contemplative prayer.

Is it when you sit in silence and feel the presence of God and rather than using words you talk to God through this experience?

This tends to be when God really talks to me through moving my heart towards something.

this may or may not be contemplative prayer, i am not sure

 

[Gabrielis]

I am trying to figure out whether I really have the charism of contemplative prayer.

Is it when you sit in silence and feel the presence of God and rather than using words you talk to God through this experience?

This tends to be when God really talks to me through moving my heart towards something.

this may or may not be contemplative prayer, i am not sure

Michael,

It may be good to bear in mind that contemplative prayer is ultimately a gift from God. What you describe sounds very much like it. God can give his gift to whomever He wills whenever He wills.

That being said, the normal course of events on the road to contemplative prayer is best described by St Teresa of Avila in The Interior Castle and in the writings of St John of the Cross. May I suggest you get some of this material to read for yourself? It may help to clarify your understanding. Also as Jim and some of the others have already pointed out your best bet would be to go ahead and check out a secular order, whether it be the Carmelites, Franciscans, Dominicans of Benedictines. And it wouldn’t hurt to seek out a spiritual director too, if you can find one that suits you.

So, my suggestions are: 1) get some trustworthy books on contemplation, 2) attend some secular order meetings to get a better idea of which one meshes with your spirituality, and 3) seek out a good spiritual director (which may be the most difficult task of the three.)

 

[Marauder]

And it wouldn’t hurt to seek out a spiritual director too, if you can find one that suits you.

Just a suggestion about this comment. If you don’t have a spiritual director already it may be better to wait until you at least make a decision one way or the other to find a “permanent” spiritual director. You can always talk with a priest or some other person about your decisions, but I highly suggest that once you make a choice you find a spiritual director from the group you select. They will be the best at helping make your decision and know what you will deal with.

When I say get a spiritual director from the group I don’t mean to limit it to just members of say SFO. If you in the end pick SFO you can get a spiritual director from any of the Franciscan Orders. My personal spiritual director is OFM Conventual.

But if you already have spiritual director stay with them.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts on this thread. I have to admit that having been a Benedictine Oblate since 1962 I am prejudiced towards the Benedictines. This takes absolutely nothing away from those of any other religious order. For me, the main benefit of any is sharing in the spiritual prayers and works of the Order. Do not ever underestimate this benefit. Being in any, increases your devotion and prayer life, as you follow the norms established by each order. May God guide you in your discernment process. For all the others reading but not having thought about being an Oblate or Third Order member, I would encourage you to seriously consider it. The spiritual rewards are great.
Prayers & Blessings
Deacon Ed B